TechStuff The Story: What Does the Future of War Look Like?
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Nov 26, 2025 
Join Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Dexter Filkins as he explores the intricate evolution of warfare. He discusses Ukraine's innovative use of drones and its implications for future conflicts. Delve into how AI is revolutionizing targeting in Israel’s military operations. Filkins reveals insights into the rapid development of defense tech by companies like Anduril, contrasting it with traditional Pentagon procurement. Plus, he reflects on Taiwan's pivotal role in global strategic tensions and the challenging road to fully autonomous weapons.
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Drones Favor The Defender
- Filkins says Ukraine invented a new way of warfare: mass, cheap, accurate drones flown in huge numbers.
- He reported Ukrainians deployed roughly two million drones in 2024, creating a defensive swarm effect.
Factory Tour Of $500 Attack Drones
- Dexter Filkins visited a blindfolded tour of a Ukrainian drone factory where workers — mostly women — assembled $500 attack drones.
- He described how cheap carbon-fiber drones deployed by the thousands have reshaped frontline combat in Ukraine.
Drone Teams Earn Points Like A Game
- Filkins recounts Ukrainian drone teams that earn points for confirmed kills and get more drones as a reward.
- He likened the scoring system to a video game that incentivizes lethal efficiency on the front line.